Friday, October 31, 2014

Recently on two of my posts, a fellow has left a few comments on how works are required for salvation, he also left me his blog link. I clicked on his blog link and this fellow has a ton of postings on there, it looks like he makes at least one post per day. On his profile he calls himself a "KEYBOARD EVANGELIST"--in other words, he does nothing outside of his desk chair. He is what we call a "armchair preacher".

Anyway, he left me a comment on my post "Defending the gospel: No confession required." In it he says that we must do works for salvation, Christ did not do all of the work for us, according to him. Now he has written his own post on the "sinners prayer". Here it is below in red font.

"SINNER'S PRAYER" by steve finnell

There are those who advance the position that, by saying, the Sinner's Prayer your sins will be forgiven and you will be added to the Lord's church. The question remains, can saying a prayer save anyone? Let us investigate that supposition.

The typical sinner's prayer: "Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. I believe that you have died for my sins and arose from the grave. I now turn from my sins and invite You into my heart and life. I receive You as my Lord. Amen."

The birth of the church of Christ was A.D. 33 the Day of Pentecost. How were they saved?

Acts 2:22-41.....36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ---this Jesus whom you crucified." 37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren what shall we do?" 38 Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

3. Men believed the message and were convicted of their sins and ask what they should do. (Acts 2:37)

4. Peter told them to repent and be baptized (immersed in water) so their sins could be forgiven and they could receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

5. How were they saved? Act 2:40-41..."Be saved from this perverse generation" 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. (Notice they were not saved until they were baptized).

PETER DID NOT TELL THEM TO SAY THE "SINNER'S PRAYER" IN ORDER TO BE SAVED.

What did they have to do to be saved?

They needed to have faith: John 3:16, Mark 16:16

They needed to repent: Acts 2:38, Acts 3;19 (repentance means to make a commitment to turn from sin and turn toward God).

They needed to confess: Romans 10:9-10, Acts 8:36-37.

They needed to be baptized: Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:20-21.

The apostles never taught the sinner's prayer as the terms for pardon.

No one is questioning the sincerity of those who recite the SINNER'S PRAYER, the question is, can the SINNER'S PRAYER SAVE ANYONE?

Now let's consider the error of this teaching by Mr. Finnell. "There
are those who advance the position that, by saying, the Sinner's Prayer
your sins will be forgiven and you will be added to the Lord's church.
The question remains, can saying a prayer save anyone? "

When people believe the gospel of the grace of God, they always pray when they do it. That does not mean AUDIBLE prayer, but calling upon God in your heart. This is the plan of salvation in the Bible, at least for the present dispensation that was committed to Paul along with the new gospel (Romans 16:25, Eph. 3:1-9, Col. 1:24-27, Gal. 1:11-12, Gal. 2:7-8, 1 Cor. 15:1-4, 1 Cor. 4:1).God knows the heart of man, if you (believing the gospel) call upon God in your heart then He will save you. We see this in the book of Acts after the dispensation of grace had been revealed to Paul in Acts 9.

Acts 10:

[36] The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)[37] That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;[38] How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.[39] And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:[40] Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;[41] Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.[42] And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.[43] To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.[44] While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

Acts 13:

[38] Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:[39] And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Acts 15:

[7] And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.[8] And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;[9] And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.[10] Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?[11] But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Galatians 3:

[1]
O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey
the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth,
crucified among you?[2] This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?[3] Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Acts 16:

[30] And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?[31] And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Ephesians 1:13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

When most people refer to calling upon the name of the Lord for salvation, they are not talking about uttering words that will magically grant salvation if you say it just right. When people say "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved", they are referring to calling upon God from the heart as we saw in Acts 10 and 15.

I do admit, some people confuse this with Matthew 10:32, which speaks of tribulation saints having to keep their testimony of Jesus Christ to be saved, they cannot deny Him in the tribulation because they must "endure to the end" according to the gospel of the kingdom (Matt. 10:22-32, Matt. 24:13-14, Mark 13:13, Heb. 10:38-39, Rev. 12:11, Rev. 12:17, Rev. 14:9-12). However, we in the dispensation of grace are not going to go through the tribulation, this age was a mystery while the tribulation is of Old Testament prophecy.

We are not appointed unto God's wrath on the Jews (Rom. 5:9, 1 Thes. 1:10, 1 Thes. 5:9) and we have a rapture that was a mystery committed to Paul (1 Cor. 15:51, 1 Thes. 4:15). Therefore the confession before men that we see in Matthew 10:32 is in a different dispensational setting with a different gospel--that has no effect on this age we are living in now.

So Mr. Finnell has a "straw man argument" when he asks the question, "Can prayer save anyone"...because prayer is not what we believe saves someone and it is not how we receive Christ. We receive Christ by believing, not by praying. John 1:11-13 "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. "

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

1 Corinthians 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

NKJV

1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

ESV

1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.

NIV

1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

NASB

1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.

Who was manifest in the flesh? The King James Bible makes it clear that Jesus Christ was GOD!

KJB

1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in
the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the
Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

ESV1 Timothy 3:16

Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:He was manifested in the flesh,vindicated by the Spirit,seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations,believed on in the world,taken up in glory.

NIV

1 Timothy 3:16Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:He appeared in the flesh,was vindicated by the Spirit,was seen by angels,was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world,was taken up in glory.

NASB

1 Timothy 3:16By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels,Proclaimed among the nations,Believed on in the world,Taken up in glory.

Who did Stephen call on? Again, the King James Bible refers to Christ as GOD!

ESV

Acts 7:59​And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

Who laid down His life for you? AGAIN the King James Bible is the one that says it was GOD who did that!

KJB

1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive wethe love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

NIV

1 John 3:16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

ESV

1 John 3:16By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

NKJV

1 John 3:16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

NASB1 John 3:16We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Was
Jesus Christ a "begotten God"??? NO! However, the NASB and the
Jehovah's Witness "bibles" say that He was! That is heresy, which
results in the false teaching of TWO gods, one being begotten and the
other one unbegotten.

KJB

John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

NASB

John 1:18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

NWT

John 1:18 No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten god who is in the bosom with the Father is the one who explained him.

Jesus
Christ was God manifest in the flesh (1 Tim. 3:16--KJB) and He has been
around from "everlasting" (Micah 5:2)....but not according to the NIV
and ESV!

KJB

Micah 5:2But
thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of
Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler
in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

NIV

Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel,whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.

ESV

Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for meone who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old,from ancient days.

Jesus Christ did NOT have "origins" from "ancient times" or "ancient days", He was "FROM EVERLASTING".

Did
Christ think that being equal with God was not a thing to be grasped
like the ESV says? NO! He did not have to "grasp" being equal with God
because He was already God, that is why the KJB says that He did not
think it was robbery to be equal with God!

KJB

Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

ESV

Philippians 2:6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

Was Joseph Christ's father? No! Christ was virgin born, but not according to the PERVERSIONS.

KJB

Luke 2:33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

NIV

Luke 2:33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.

ESV

Luke 2:33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.

NASB

Luke 2:33And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him.

Is
God through with the nation of Israel forever? Will He always be angry
with them? NO! God will punish the Jews during the tribulation, but
those who get saved will be re-gathered at the 2nd coming of Christ and
then He will "bring upon them all the good" that He
has promised them (Jeremiah 30:1-24, 31:31-34, 32:36-42). However, the
Amplified Version says that God is COMPLETELY finished with the Jews.

KJB

1 Thessalonians 2:[14]
For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in
Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of
your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:[15] Who
both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted
us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:[16]
Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to
fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the
uttermost.

Amplified Version

1 Thessalonians 2:

14 For
you, brethren, became imitators of the assemblies (churches) of God in
Christ Jesus which are in Judea, for you too have suffered the same kind
of treatment from your own fellow countrymen as they did [who were
persecuted at the hands] of the Jews,

15 Who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and harassed and drove us out, and continue to make themselves hateful and offensive to God and to show themselves foes of all men,

16 Forbidding and
hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles (the nations) that they may
be saved. So as always they fill up [to the brim the measure of] their
sins. But God’s wrath has come upon them at last [completely and forever]!

Why
would anyone use a PERVERSION of the word of God instead of God
perfectly preserved word of God, the King James Bible? Any saved person
will be able to look at these perversions and be able to discern that
the King James Bible is the pure word of God, not the corrupt modern
versions that are based on the Egyptian Greek manuscripts.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 For
this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received
the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of
men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: thewords that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

John 8:[43] Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.[44] Ye
are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.
He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth,
because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.[45] And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.[46] Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?[47] He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.John 10:1-5, 26-27 Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the
sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a
robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the
sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he
calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth
forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him:
for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but
will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.....But ye
believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My
sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

John 18:37 Pilate
therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou
sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came
I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

1 Corinthians 2:[9]
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have
entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for
them that love him.[10] But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.[11]
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which
is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of
God.[12] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world,
but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are
freely given to us of God.[13] Which things also we speak,
not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost
teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.[14] But the
natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are
foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are
spiritually discerned.

Jeremiah 23:36 "...ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God"Modern versions of the bible are based on Greek manuscripts from Alexandria, Egypt. No more than 50 Greek manuscripts represent the Alexandrian Text (also known as "critical text"). These are the manuscripts by which the Catholic bibles and the Jehovah's Witnesses "New World Translation" come from. The two most famous of these manuscripts are Aleph (Siniaticus--discovered in 1844) and B (Vaticanus--discovered in the Roman Catholic Vatican library in 1481). Both teach that Jesus Christ was the "begotten God" (just like the Watch Tower Society) in John 1:18 instead of the "begotten Son" as it says in the King James Bible. The Vaticanus and Siniaticus manuscripts differ in 3,000 places in Gospels alone, and then they differ 4,000 more times in the rest of the New Testament. They both call Joseph the "Father" of Jesus Christ in Luke 2:33 where the King James Bible says "Joseph".Vaticanus omits the books: 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews 9:15-13:25, and Revelation.

Vaticanus adds these books: Maccabees, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus, Judith, Tobit, Baruch. Siniaticus adds the epistle of Barnabas and the shepherd of Hermes to the New Testament and it adds Maccabees, Judith, Tobit, Sirach, and Wisdom to the Old Testament. Siniaticus omits Genesis 23:19-24:46, Numbers 5:26-7:20, 1 Chronicles 9:27-19:17 from the Old Testament. It also omits the following verses from the New Testament: Matthew 12:47, 16:2b-3, 17:21, 18:11, Mark 7:16, 9:44, 9:46, 15:28, 16:9-20, Luke 17:36, 22:43-44, John 5:4, John 16:15, 20:5b-6, John 21:25, Romans 16:24.

Siniaticus also omits major phrases from these verses: Matthew 6:13, Matthew 13:35, Mark 1:1, Luke 23:34.Vaticanus omits 2,877 words from the New Testament and Siniaticus omits 3,455 words from the New Testament. The manuscript evidence for the Alexandrian Text of Egypt are these:Papyrus: 15% support the Alexandrian Text (or 13/88 manuscripts)Unical: 3% support the Alexandrian Text (or 9/267 manuscripts)Cursive: 1% support the Alexandrian Text (or 23/2764 mansucripts)Lectionary: 0% support the Alexandrian Text (0/2143 manuscripts)On the other hand, there is the "Textus Receptus" (Received Text) of Antioch, Syria (Antioch was the head quarters of the apostles and prophets in the New Testament--Acts 11:19-27, 13:1, 15:35, etc.). The Textus Receptus is what the Luther Bible was translated from, so also were the Tyndale/Coverdale, Matthew's, Great, Geneva, Bishop's, and finally the King James Bible.There are several different editions of the Textus Receptus:Erasmus's Editions--1st in 15162nd in 15193rd in 15224rth in 15275th in 1535Stephanus Editions--1st in 15462nd in 15493rd in 15504rth in 1551Beza's Editions--1st in 15652nd in 15823rd in 15894rth in 1598Further editions of the Textus Receptus were done by Elzivers, 1st edition in 1624 and a 2nd edition in 1633 (the 1633 edition is the one that first received the name "Textus Receptus").All editions of the Textus Receptus are basically the same because they are all based on the manuscripts that agree. The manuscript evidence for the Textus Receptus and King James Bible are these....Papyrus: 85% support the Textus Receptus (or 75/88 manuscripts)Unical: 97% support the Textus Receptus (or 9/267 manuscripts)Cursive: 99% support the Textus Receptus (or 23/2764 mansucripts)Lectionary: 100% support the Textus Receptus (2143 manuscripts)Also, most ancient translations support the Textus Receptus. This includes the following:The Peshitta Version (AD 150), The Italic Bible (AD 157), The Waldensian (AD 120 & onwards), The Gallic Bible (Southern France) (AD177), The Gothic Bible (AD 330-350), The Old Syriac Bible (AD 400), The Armenian Bible (AD 400 There are 1244 copies of this version still in existence.), The Palestinian Syriac (AD 450), The French Bible of Oliveton (AD 1535), The Czech Bible (AD 1602), The Italian Bible of Diodati (AD 1606), The Greek Orthodox Bible (Used from Apostolic times to the present day by the Greek Orthodox Church). There are 86,000+ citations from scripture by the early "church fathers", most of these quotations support the Textus Receptus. In total, the Textus Receptus is supported by 95% of the available information from the ancient translations, Greek manuscripts, and "church father" quotations.Modern bible versions are based off the Egyptian Greek manuscripts that are highly corrupt. Here are some of the problems that arise from the use of the manuscripts of Egypt instead of those in agreement with the King James Bible and Textus Receptus.Here are verses omitted in the ESV, NASB, NIV, and most other Alexandrian text-based versions.

1- Matthew 17:21"Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."

2- Matthew 18:11"For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost."

5- Mark 9:44"Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."

6- Mark 9:46"Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."

7- Mark 11:26"But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses."

8- Mark 15:28"And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors."

9- Luke 17:36"Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left."

10- John 5:4"For
an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the
water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in
was made whole of whatsoever disease he had."

11- Acts 8:37"And
Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And
he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

12- Acts 15:34"Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still."

13- Acts 24:7"But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,"

14- Acts 28:29"And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves."

16- I John 5:7"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."Those are great verses of scripture, but the modern bible versions do not have them! What does God say about making changes to His word?Jeremiah 23:[28]
The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath
my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the
wheat? saith the LORD.[29] Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?[30] Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour. Deuteronomy 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.Proverbs 30:[5] Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.[6] Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. Revelation 22:[18] For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:[19] And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.You do NOT make changes to God's word! The word of God is a LIVING book that God has created and given it His own attributes.The Bible is not a mere book, it is spirit and life (John 6:63). The Bible is alive and can discern our thoughts and intents (Heb. 4:12-13). When we approach the word of God unbelieving, the Bible closes truth to us (1 Thes. 2:13). There is nothing that is not manifest in the sight of the word of God (Heb. 4:12-13) even to the degree of forseeing what God will do (Gal. 3:8). The word of God is the sword of Spirit (Eph. 6:17) and is not bound (2 Tim. 2:9). God has given the Bible His own attributes and magnified it above His own name (Psa. 138:2).

Many people would say that those statements I just made are "idolatry", however I got those statements from the Bible and I am a Bible believer. I do not pray to the Bible, I do not believe that the Bible is God, but I do believe everything that the Bible says about itself is true.

Note: When I say "Bible" or "word of God" I am referring to the King James Bible.

CHRIST--A lightJohn 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am thelight of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.--In our heartGalatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

--Perfect2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.--LifeJohn 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. --EternalRevelation 1:17-18 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

--TruthJohn 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

--Magnified namePhilippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

--Knows the heartActs 15:8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; butGod knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

--Should be trembled atEphesians 6:5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear andtrembling.

--Satan tries to counterfeit2 Corinthians 11:3-4 "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him."

1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are theremany antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

--We live by...Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

--Only works effectually in the lives of believersGalatians 5:1-4 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace."--LivethRevelation 1:18 I am he thatliveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

--Is spiritJohn 4:24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

SCRIPTURE--A lightPsalms 119:105 Thy word is a lampunto my feet, and a light unto my path.--In our heartPsalms 119:11 Thy word have Ihid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Jeremiah 20:9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. --Perfect Psalms 119:140Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

Psalms 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

--LifeJohn 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. --EternalPsalms 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word issettled in heaven.

Psalms 12:6-7 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

Isaiah 40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

--TruthPsalms 119:160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.--Magnified namePsalms 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

--Knows the heartHebrews 4:12-13 "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do."

--Should be trembled atIsaiah 66:2, 5 "For all those things hath mine hand made, and those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word....Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed."Ezra 9:4 Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening sacrifice.

--Satan tries to counterfeit2 Corinthians 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

--We live by....Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Luke 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

--Only works effectually in the lives of believers1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

--Lives Hebrews 4:12-13 "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do."

1 Peter 1:23-25 "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you."

--Is spiritJohn 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you,they are spirit, and they are life. We must treat the word of God with the highest respect and magnify it. It is the greatest possession that God has given us! Without the word of God, we have no knowledge of Christ and His gospel! (1 Pet. 1:23, 1 Cor. 15:1-4, Rom. 10:17, John 5:24, John 17:17). The Bible is a LIVING Book (1 Pet. 1:23-25, Heb. 4:12). Some people treat the word of God as if it were just a book that God had written many years ago and that we must scour the earth for manuscripts that have been hidden in the dust--then when we compare these manuscripts we can have a close representation of what God originally inspired. But to do that, we must know someone (a professor or PHD of some kind) to tell us what the "original Hebrew and Greek texts say" because the "originals" were written in Hebrew and Greek. However, the truth is that we must let the Bible be our final authority and not man! 1 Thessalonians 2:13For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

We cannot pickup a Bible and say "Well I think this reading was actually an interpolation done by a later scribe...this was not in the original Greek text.....only later manuscripts contain this reading..." etc. THAT IS RECEIVING IT AS THE WORD OF MAN, NOT THE WORD OF GOD. This is a serious issue, for God has magnified His word above His own name!Psalms 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

God's method of "textual criticism" is to BELIEVE what God said, not doubt it. Anyone who is saved can KNOW what words are the words of God--there is no "science" to it.1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: thewords that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

John 8:[43] Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.[44] Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.[45] And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.[46] Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?[47] He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.John 10:1-5, 26-27 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.....But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Everyone that is saved can discern what is the word of God and what is not. Saved people can be deceived, sure enough, but I am saying that anyone who is saved and is presented with the word of God will know that those words are the inspired words of God. That is what the Bible teaches. God wants His people to have His words available, which is why He has preserved them EXACTLY as they were originally written so that we can have the inspired word of God.Psalms 12:[6] The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.[7] Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Psalms 117:2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: andthe truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

Isaiah 40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

1 Peter 1:23-25 [23] Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.[24] For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:[25] But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Isaiah 55:[10] For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:[11] So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. We have the words of God preserved for us today and we can KNOW which Bible is God's word and which ones are corrupt.

Jeremiah 23:[28] The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.[29] Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?[30] Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.

Jeremiah 23:36And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more: for every man's word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.

2 Corinthians 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. Matthew 7:[15] Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.[16] Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?[17] Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.[18] A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.[19] Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.[20] Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

False prophets try to pervert the word of God, steal the word of God, corrupt the word of God, and they handle it deceitfully. How is this done? By attacking the doctrines of Christ in the word of God (1 John 4:1-3)! These perversions cause "bad fruit" and they are not of God, they return void unlike the REAL word of God (Isa. 55:11).Look at how the modern "bible" versions have PERVERTED THE WORDS OF THE LIVING GOD (Jer. 23:36). The King James Bible CLEARLY outshines any other "bible" that is out there!

The NIV omits 63, 625 words from the text. That is enough omission to throw out a third of the New Testament.

In attempt to back up the Roman Catholic heresy that Christ spoke Aramaic, the NIV translates "Hebros" as "Aramaic" instead of "Hebrew"........John 5:2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades.

John 19:13 When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha).

John 19:17 Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).

John 19:20 Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek.

John 20:16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).Acts 21:40 After receiving the commander’s permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic:

Acts 22:2 When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet. Then Paul said:

Acts 26:14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

The NIV is the only version with this error in the translation of "Hebros".

The NIV ATTACKS THE DEITY OF CHRIST!

In prophetic reference to Christ....

NIV, Micah 5:2“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for meone who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old,from ancient times.”

KJB Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Does Christ have origins? The NIV says so. Thankfully the King James Bible tells us that Christ is from EVERLASTING.

In reference to Jesus Christ, the NIV says.....

NIV, Luke 2:33The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.

KJB, Luke 2:33And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

Was Joseph Christ's "father"? No! Christ was virgin born.

Now look at how the NIV completely ruins the most perfect verse in the Bible on the deity of Christ!

NIV, 1 Timothy 3:16Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:

He appeared in the flesh,was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels,was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world,was taken up in glory.

KJB, 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Next the NIV omits the reference to Christ as God's "holy child" and replaces it with "holy servant".

NIV, Acts 4:

[37] Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.

[40] Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

KJB, Acts 4:

[27] For of a truth against thyholy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

[30] By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thyholy child Jesus.

Next the NIV gives Christ's title, (Rev. 22:16, "morning star"), to SATAN. That is satanic BLASPHEMY. Not only that, the NIV omits the name "Lucifer" from the text!

NIV, Isaiah 14:12How you have fallen from heaven,morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth,you who once laid low the nations!

KJB, Isaiah 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

Next, the NIV attempts to make a SINNER and LIAR out of Christ....

Christ got angry, Mark 3:5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

The NIV says that Christ will now be in danger of judgment for that....

NIV, Matthew 5:22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sisterwill be subject to judgment.

KJB, Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brotherwithout a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Next the NIV makes Christ a liar.

NIV, John 7:

[8]You go to the festival. I am notgoing up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.”[9] After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee.

[10]However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret.

KJB, John 7:

[8] Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.[9] When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.[10] But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.

Christ DID go to the feast (v.10), He just wasn't going to do it "YET". The NIV omitted the word "yet" making Christ a liar.

The NIV attacks the blood atonement of Christ....

NIV, Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

KJB, Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

The NIV creates contradictions in scripture.....

NIV, Mark 1:

[2]As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: I will send my messenger ahead of you,who will prepare your way”

[3] “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,‘Prepare the way for the Lord,make straight paths for him.’”

KJB, Mark 1:

[2] As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.[3] The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

The quotation is from Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3, that is "THE PROPHETS". The NIV gives the whole quote to Isaiah when it is NOT.

The NIV mistranslated pascha (Πάσχα) as "passover" instead of "Easter" in Acts 12:4. In the context the passover is already over (Abib 14) because the days of unleavened bread were already over (Abib 15-21) making Easter the only option left for Peter's execution.

Other problems.....

The NIV omits the prophetic reference to the sacrificial death of Christ in Genesis 22:8 by changing "God will provide HIMSELF a lamb" to "God himself will provide the lamb ".

The NIV says that Israel was "baptized INTO Moses" (1 Cor. 10:2) confusing the passage greatly. Israel was "baptized UNTO Moses" i.e. identified with him and the Lord. The only person that one can be baptized into is Christ, and that is by baptism "BY THE SPIRIT" and "THROUGH THE FAITH OF THE OPERATION OF GOD" (1 Cor. 12:13, Col. 2:12).

The New "King James" Version (NKJV).

The New King James Version OMITS.....

"Lord" 66 times

"Jehovah" entirely

"blood" 23 times

"damnation" entirely

"fornication" 23 times

"heaven" 50 times

"God" 51 times

"repent" 44 times

"hell" 22 times

"soul" 137 times

"devil" 26 times

"new testament" entirely

"sodomite" entirely

"devils" entirely

The NKJV omits the dispensation of grace doctrine of justification by Christ's faith in Romans 3:22, Galatians 2:16-20, Philippians 3:9, and every other place that doctrine is found. This obviously results in justification completely by OUR OWN faith which requires works (James 2:17-26, Hebrews 10:22-39).

The NKJV inserts at least 100 archaic and hard to under stand words into its text that were not in the King James Bible.

The NKJV omits almost 50 references to gender in just 1 Corinthians alone. (there are hundreds more)The NKJV places quote marks in the text of Acts 19 and those quote marks are placed it makes Paul RE-BAPTIZE some disciples of John that had already been baptized. The NKJV teaches MULTIPLE WATER BAPTISMS for the believer.

The NKJV claims to capitalize words referring to deity. However, in Matthew 16:18 when Jesus said "upon this rock I will build my church", the word "rock" is not capitalized. The NKJV is teaching that PETER WAS THE ROCK....that is Roman Catholic heresy! The NKJV is inconsistent in it's claim that it capitalizes words referring to deity (see Deuteronomy 32:15, 18, 30, 31, 1 Samuel 2:2, 2 Samuel 22:2, 47, Mark 7:11, 1 Cor. 10:4). It also capitalized the "he" in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 to mean that the Holy Spirit is taken out of the way and NOT PRESENT ON EARTH during the tribulation period. The "he" is either the church or the anti-Christ, but it CANNOT be the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit will indwell the tribulation saints (John 3, 1 John).Also, the NKJV messes up a prophetic reference to the crucifixion in Zechariah 13:6 by changing "what are these wounds in thine hands?" (KJB) to "what are these wounds between your arms?" (NKJV). Some editions of the NKJV make that change, others don't.

The NKJV says that Israel was "baptized INTO Moses" (1 Cor. 10:2) confusing the passage greatly. Israel was "baptized UNTO Moses" i.e. identified with him and the Lord. The only person that one can be baptized into is Christ, and that is by baptism "BY THE SPIRIT" and "THROUGH THE FAITH OF THE OPERATION OF GOD" (1 Cor. 12:13, Col. 2:12).

The NKJV also attacks the deity of Christ by replacing "holy child" with "holy servant" in Acts 4:27.The NKJV omits the prophetic reference to the sacrificial death of Christ in Genesis 22:8 by changing "God will provide HIMSELF a lamb" to "God will provide FOR HIMSELF a lamb".The NKJV mistranslated pascha (Πάσχα) as "passover" instead of "Easter" in Acts 12:4. In the context the passover is already over (Abib 14) because the days of unleavened bread were already over (Abib 15-21) making Easter the only option left for Peter's execution.

The NKJV replaced the Hebrew text behind the KJB with the corrupt Stuttgart Old Testament. The NKJV also ignored the Textus Receptus 1,200 TIMES.

It also omits "God" from 1 John 3:16 (Deity of Christ) and from 1 Corinthians 16:2 (how someone is prospered).

The New King James Version is NOT an edition of the King James Bible--they are associated in NO WAY. The New King James Version is NOT just an "update" of the King James Bible--it is a PERVERSION.